Saetia
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | February 1997 |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Saetia (pronounced SAY-shuh) is a New York City-originated screamo group. Initially relatively unknown, they have since become recognized as a highly influential band within the late-1990s screamo movement.
1997–1999: Origins, Saetia release, and dissolution
The band Saetia was established in February 1997 during the members' time at New York University. Their name is a misspelling inspired by the Miles Davis composition "Saeta" from the album Sketches of Spain. Throughout their brief existence, the lineup underwent multiple changes; notably, their original bassist, Alex Madara, passed away in December 1998 due to a severe allergic reaction.[1]
Greg Drudy, who had previously been part of Interpol, started the record label Level Plane specifically to distribute Saetia’s 7-inch single for their live performances.[2] Following Saetia’s breakup, members went on to join other bands such as Off Minor, Hot Cross, among others.[3][4]
The band ceased activities in October 1999. Their last single, titled "Eronel," was released posthumously by Witching Hour in 2000 and included three tracks recorded by Steve Roche and mixed by Pat Kenneally. In 2001, Level Plane issued A Retrospective, compiling all studio recordings along with live material from one of their final shows at ABC No Rio.Cite error: Invalid parameter in <ref> tag
2016: Releases after disbandment
In 2016, Secret Voice—run by Touché Amoré frontman Jeremy Bolm—put out Collected, a two-disc set pressed on 180-gram vinyl featuring every studio recording Saetia produced. Additionally, live recordings from ABC No Rio were made available on cassette under the title Live At ABC No Rio Spring 1999 through Secret Voice.
2022-present: Reunion and On
In April 2022, Saetia reunited for rehearsals after a 24-year hiatus with members Billy Werner, Jamie Behar, Adam Marino, Colin Bartoldus, and drummer Chris Enriquez (known for his work with Spotlights, Julie Christmas, and On the Might of Princes). By November that year, Steve Roche returned on drums and Tom Schlatter joined on guitar as they performed live shows in New York and Pennsylvania.
On January 3, 2025, Saetia unveiled "Tendrils," marking their first new release in over twenty-six years and serving as the lead track from their forthcoming "Tendrils EP."
Style and legacy
According to Kerrang, Saetia amplified emo’s intensity and emotional depth; their self-titled album was described as "a work of total chaos" highlighted by Billy Werner’s piercing vocal delivery.
Their influences included bands such as Born Against, Rorschach, 1.6 Band, Heroin, Antioch Arrow, Los Crudos, Merel, Sleepytime Trio, Downcast, Shotmaker, Maximillian Colby, Closure, alongside numerous artists affiliated with Bloodlink and Ebullition Records.
Stewart Mason from AllMusic regarded their output as an "essential document" for aficionados of screamo. The band’s legacy can be seen in groups like La Dispute, and they have also influenced acts including Alexisonfire, Senses Fail, Thursday, and Touché Amoré.
Band members
- Current
- Billy Werner – lead vocals (1997–1999, 2022–present) – vocals across all releases
- Adam Marino – guitar, vocals (1997–1999, 2022–present) – guitar on Demo, Saetia 7-inch, and Saetia LP/CD
- Colin Bartoldus – bass, vocals (1997–1999, 2022–present) – bass on Saetia LP/CD; guitar on Eronel 7-inch
- Steve Roche – bass (1999), guitar (1999), drums (2022–present) – bass on Eronel 7-inch; guitar at final pre-breakup show; drums for reunion
- Tom Schlatter – guitar, vocals (2022–present) – guitar during reunion performances
- Former
- Greg Drudy – drums (1997–1999) – drums on all official releases
- Jamie Behar – guitar (1997–1999, 2022) – guitar contributions on all releases
- Alex Madara – bass (1997; deceased 1998) – bass on Demo and Saetia 7-inch
- Matt Smith – bass (1999) – bass at final show before disbandment
Studio albums
| Year | Album Information | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Saetia
|
A total of 1,000 CDs and 1,000 LPs were produced; among these, 800 featured standard sleeves, 100 had color-inverted sleeves, and another 100 were tour editions with CD-style packaging. |
Singles and EPs
| Year | Release Information | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Demo
|
Contains two tracks that were subsequently included on the 1997 self-titled 7-inch record. |
| 1997 | Saetia
|
Pressed in a quantity of 1,000 copies featuring several sleeve variations. |
| 1999 | Eronel
|
Issued in multiple limited editions including standard, hand-numbered copies, and distinctive "gravestone" sleeves as part of the Witching Hour Subscription Series. |
| 2025 | Tendrils EP
|
Marks the first new material in 26 years; lead single Tendrils debuted on January 3, 2025. |
Live Albums
| Year | Album Information | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Live At ABC No Rio Spring 1999
|
Includes selections from A Retrospective. Released on purple cassette; total number of copies pressed is unknown. |
| 2023 | LIVE FROM SAINT VITUS BAR
|
Captures a live performance recorded at Saint Vitus Bar during reunion concerts in November 2022. |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album Information | Additional Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | A Retrospective
|
Features the band's complete recorded works along with live tracks from ABC No Rio, spring of 1999. |
| 2016 | Collected
|
Pressed on heavyweight (180 gram) black vinyl; encompasses the entire studio catalog. |